National Educational Technology Plan

A transformation in education must take place so that as a country we will continue to lead in the global economy. The percentage of students' graduating with higher level education needs to increase from 39% to a minimum of 60%, in order for to grow the 21^st century learner to succeed they will need to be taught and learn real live application and information based on the continually changing global market. By allowing the use technology in schools for creating, finding information and resources, the traditional classroom with transform allowing students to take control of their education. In a connected teaching model, connection replaces isolation.

Classroom educators are fully connected to learning data and tools for using the data; to content, resources, and systems that empower them to create, manage, and assess engaging and relevant learning experiences. (U.S. Department of, 2010). With the inclusion of into the plan it allows for funds to be released for professional development, often the educators may not receave the necessary training allow fir the technology to not be used appropriately or not at all.

U.S. Department of Education, National Educational Technology Plan. (2010). Transforming american education: learning powered by technology Retrieved from www.ed.gov/technology

 

Campus Tchnology Plan Presentation

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District Technology Plan

     The goals included in the technology plan for Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (GCCISD) are as follows, "GCCISD will provide technology for literacy, integration and transformative learning to prepare students to successfully live, learn and work in the Digital Age. Our wireless infrastructure provides connectivity for ultra mobile devices, laptops, smart tablets, interactive white boards, classroom performance systems, iPods, document cameras, and more. Technology will be incorporated in all areas of the curriculum. Staff development will focus on teaching the existing curriculum with technology. Curriculum and Instruction will continue to build the Information Management System that will provide stakeholders information on student performance and align the curriculum vertically and horizontally. This technology will be used to collect data and to analyze it to best serve each student's individual needs." (York)

     With a total budget 3,144,643.00, the district intends to provide professional development opportunities for teachers by adding additional classroom interactive hardware and software with a budget of 470,000.00. Also provide all instructional staff with training in teaching with technology the budget for this objective: $816,642.00. Person(s) Responsible: Director TMS Director.

     To ensure that the plan is working effectively it must be evaluated GCCISD has devised a system with includes mentoring and documenting progress results. Timelines will also be established for a variety of projects. Constant evaluation on the plans effectiveness and usefulness for the students with in our district. The people responsible for these tasks are Director of Educational Technology, Director of Technology Management Services, Director of Maintenance and Operations, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, the Superintendent's executive council and the board of trustees. With the use of Texas Star chart teachers and principals, benchmarks, educational Technology assessment GCCISD intends to correctly assess the progress and make any necessary modifications to the plan..

York, T. Department of Education, GCCISD. (n.d.). Goose creek cisd technology plan for e-rate year 12 Retrieved from http://schools.gccisd.net/docs/38-Tech%20e-Plan%202009-2012.pdf

Technology Assessment

     Gone is the day of assessing technology literacy with questions such as, are you familiar with word processing and the ten-key. Educator must now be familiar with software that is able to compose, modify, and adapt to the change of the 21^st Century Learner. Of course we must start with ourselves as educators, in order to use technology we must first understand its usefulness. Educators are offered many in-service professional developments however I have yet to one that offers the use of basic software application such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc… Hmmmn, don't we all know how to use these software application? NO, many are only familiar with the basic function of Word; PowerPoint blows their mind, not to mention what the "boxes" in Excel means.

     Assessing or educators is very important, school districts must be aware of level of technology efficiency that an educator has. This information will allow IT to determine level of assistance they may need to accommodate the 21^st Century Educator followed by the 21^st Century Learner. Once we have assessed the teachers and educated them, then technology can be incorporated technology into the lessons allowing for more project-based leaning applications.

     That will afford teacher s the opportunity to assess the students and adjust to accommodate the needs of students. At times the cart is placed before the horse, technology leaders find great new products and purchases them for schools, these schools are used as pilot programs however often training of the educator on its usefulness are not done effectively. Of course the Technology is available but if the training and assess of its usefulness it becomes a waste of funds also a lost opportunity for our students.
Of course there will be pros and cons, one the major pros is in allows the student to be more involved in his/her learning, along with taking ownership of their education. At times when I am lecturing I wonder if the kids feel like Charlie Brown in school listening to his teacher Ms. Donovan going "blah, blah, Blah."
"We can create and publish as easily as we read, and we must teach our students to leverage this ability and add their own work to the global conversation in meaningful ways. If the bulk of what we ask our students to do centers around paper passed back and forth in the classroom we are doing students a grave disservice."


Richardson, W. (2007, March). The online edge. Retrieved from www.DistrictAdministration.com

Web Conference

I have finally started my Masters “yeah me,” this evening I completed my second web conference.  Although it may be a bit difficult at times to schedule time for a web conference, with our lives being as busy as it is, I find that it is resourceful way of connecting with my classmates. It is also very useful to be able to put faces with names and work in a group setting. The  Web Conferences also gave me an opportunity to connect with the instructor in a nontraditional class setting and addressed any questions or concerns that I and many of my fellow classmates may have. Indeed technology is changing, and I for one welcome the change.

Also, during the web conference I received clarity on what is expected of me in a masters program, I did not read an email and assume tone, rather was able to hear clear expectations from the instructor. We were informed of Items that we need to focus on, as well as any  downloads that may be necessary. With class being so fast paced I found the application very useful as we can quickly fall behind, if not careful.